If the other regions are the “highlights,” Southland is the soul of the South Island. It is the southernmost point of New Zealand—wild, rugged, and famous for its incredible hospitality (and its world-class oysters). If you want to feel like you’ve reached the edge of the world, this is where you go.
Fiordland National Park (The Crown Jewel): Technically part of Southland, this is a UNESCO World Heritage site and arguably the most beautiful place in the country.
Milford Sound (Piopiotahi): Rudyard Kipling called it the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” It’s a massive fiord carved by glaciers. Even if it’s raining (which it usually is), the hundreds of temporary waterfalls cascading down 1,000-meter cliffs are breathtaking.
Doubtful Sound: Ten times larger than Milford and much harder to get to. It’s known as the “Sound of Silence” because it is so remote and peaceful.
Great Walks: Southland hosts three of the world’s best hikes: the Milford Track, the Kepler, and the Routeburn.
Invercargill: The “City of Water and Light”: Invercargill is the main hub, and it has a very cool, vintage vibe.
Bill Richardson Transport World: Even if you aren’t a “car person,” this place is mind-blowing. It’s one of the largest private automotive collections in the world, housed in a stunning museum.
Dig This: Ever wanted to drive a giant bulldozer or excavator just for fun? This is the only place in NZ where you can play in a giant “mechanical sandbox.”
Demolition World: A quirky, slightly eerie, but fascinating hidden gem made entirely of recycled materials and mannequins.
Stewart Island (Rakiura): A 20-minute flight or a 1-hour ferry across the Foveaux Strait takes you to NZ’s third-largest island.
The Land of the Glowing Skies: Rakiura means “glowing skies” in Māori. It’s a Dark Sky Sanctuary with incredible Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) potential.
Wild Kiwis: This is one of the best places to see the Kiwi bird in its natural habitat. Unlike the mainland, the Stewart Island Brown Kiwi is often active during the day!
Oban: The only town on the island. It’s tiny, friendly, and has one of the best pubs in the country for a fresh blue cod dinner.
The Catlins (The Coastal Road): The drive between Invercargill and Dunedin is a rugged coastal stretch that feels like a secret.
Curio Bay: You can see a 180-million-year-old fossilized forest at low tide. You might also spot rare Yellow-eyed penguins or Hector’s dolphins playing in the surf.
McLean Falls & Purakaunui Falls: Some of the most photographed tiered waterfalls in New Zealand.
Slope Point: The absolute southernmost point of the South Island. There’s a signpost showing the distance to the Equator and the South Pole. 🍴 The “Southland Special” You cannot leave Southland without trying these two things:
Bluff Oysters: Widely considered the finest oysters in the world. The season usually starts in March.
The Cheese Roll: Known as “Southland Sushi.” It’s white bread, a secret cheese/onion mix, rolled up and toasted with lots of butter. It is the ultimate Kiwi comfort food.
